The history of
Nieuw-Heeten
pretty much begins with the construction of its church. Until 1923,
Nieuw-Heeten (called Achterhoek then) belonged to the parish of Heeten,
the church of which was at a distance of some six kilometers. First
attempts at getting a seperate church were made in 1874. Finally, in
1922 work began on the church, which was built on a piece of
land
located at the borders of the Raalte, Hellendoorn and Holten
municipalities. When the church was finished the village was officially
founded and named nieuw-Heeten.
The church was designed by W. te Riele and is in simple neo-Gothic
style. There is some disagreement about
the
exact nature of the church. Sometimes it is called a hall-church, but
this classification can easily be dismissed since the central aisle is
higher than the side-aisles on the
outside as well as on the inside. Of more importance is the question
whether this is a pseudo-basilica or a basilica. The three-aisles are
covered by a single roof. Although a
clerestorey is missing, the nave is illuminated by three dormer
windows on either side. At the front of the church is a tower, which is
flanked by the ends of the side-aisles. The tower consists of three
segments and has a stair-turret at its side. At the east side is the
choir, which is flanked by the polygonal closures of the side-aisles.